Any shells without living creatures may be kept. To find unbroken shells, snorkel or dive below the surface of the water.
• We pick up and drop off approximately 2.2 miles down the island at the State Park docks• We do not drop off behind the Jetty area• It is a nature-preserved part of the island so there are no restrooms, shade, or food available on the island.• Snorkeling and scuba equipment are not available for rent on the island or at any of our store locations.• It will take about 15 minutes to reach our dock at the island.
In the 1990's, a sandbar located south of Pass-a-Grille Beach became Shell Island. It joined its neighboring island to make one contiguous Island. Pinellas County received a lease agreement from the State of Florida in 2000. This lease allowed them to establish Shell Key, a.k.a. Shell Island) to preserve wildlife. Shell Key, today, is a Florida paradise made of pristine white sand.
Yes. You may bring your own umbrellas, coolers, beach chairs and umbrellas. If you are leaving the Island, make sure to take your beverage containers and food packaging.
In the early 1990’s, the sandbar just south of Pass-a-Grille Beach known as Shell Island joined with its neighboring island to the south to form one contiguous island. In 2000, Pinellas County acquired a lease from the State of Florida to establish Shell Key (a.k.a. Shell Island) as a Wildlife Preserve and today, Shell Key is a pristine white sand strip of Florida paradise.
The scenic, fun ride to Shell Island is only five minutes long. Passengers are dropped at the serene cove behind Shell Island Ferry. It's a great place for children and a short walk from Shell Island Beachfront.
This is a unique experience! The ferry boat operates every day in spring and summer and almost every day in autumn and winter. The journey to the island takes around twenty minutes. You have great chances of seeing dolphins, sea turtles and manatees. Seabirds are often seen on the boat ride from Shell Key to the island.
Go Where the Dolphins are
Shell Island is 7 miles of incredible beach bliss located across the water from Saint Andrew's Park. This natural wonder is one of your best bets for finding and swimming with dolphins in Panama City Beach.
Shell Island is technically only an island at high tide, and although the land is privately owned, the footpaths across it are open to the public.
Sand dollars, moon snails, conch shells, pin shells, periwinkles, whelk and olive shells are just a few of the indigenous seashells found here. And, as long as there are no creatures living in them, there is no limit to how many of these one-of-a-kind souvenirs you can take home with you
Once you get there it is all worth it, as it is the most beautiful water I've ever seen. It is like you are swimming in a pool it is so crystal clear. We didn't know what to expect with this so we went planning to spend a few hours on the island. Come expecting to spend all day!